Good Ranch Saddle

[Weazer]

I'm in the market for a good ranch/trail saddle and need some advise. I recently went Elk Hunting and the outfitter had a Colorado Saddlery Continental Divide that I loved. Started looking and stumbled across this website. Found out that they are made in a prison and use Hadcock and Fox trees. Found out that most of you think those trees are junk. I've owned a Billy Cook trainer, older well built, but not what I wanted so I sold it. I purchased a SRS with a 7 inch gullet width but it was too wide for one of my horses. I am currently using my wife's Tucker, but it is too fufu. I have also ridden in Teskey's, Vinton and some Martins that were decent, but once again, most on this site are really down on rack, production saddles. I am considering working with a custom or semi custom saddle maker to build or sell me a saddle. However, I don't want to waste anymore money. I'd like to get it right this time. I only want to spend 1,500 to 2,000 dollars. It would appear that several of you agree that timberline saddle trees are good production trees. Are there any saddles made on these trees that can be purchased off the rack or ordered in my price range? Or, is there a saddle maker who can make a saddle in this price range that is custom or semi custom. Your comments and advice is appreciated.

[jwwright]

Weazer...........I don't know of any true handmade saddle makers that have a base price in the range you mentioned. There very well may be some, but none I am familiar with. For a new saddle in that price, you are looking at production saddles.....but that might work for you. However, while I do know of several production/ semi custom operations that build on Timberline trees.......again, none in the price range you listed. I guess my best advice would be, for the money you wish to spend, is a good used saddle. JW

[Weazer]

Weazer...........I don't know of any true handmade saddle makers that have a base price in the range you mentioned. There very well may be some, but none I am familiar with. For a new saddle in that price, you are looking at production saddles.....but that might work for you. However, while I do know of several production/ semi custom operations that build on Timberline trees.......again, none in the price range you listed. I guess my best advice would be, for the money you wish to spend, is a good used saddle. JW

Thanks JW......I would actually prefer a good used saddle and I'm searching. I spoke to a saddle maker a couple of weeks ago whose name is Jeremy Stead and operates his business as www.ranchsaddle.com. He has made some very beautiful/durable saddles with top quality leather and hand tooled in the price range I mentioned. He's been doing it for eleven years. However, he uses Baties Trees and trees from a maker in Georgia. Once again, when I research these tree makers, most if not all of the professional saddle makers believe the trees are sub par. I looked at your website and viewed your saddles. It is apparent that they are high quality and your resume speaks for itself. However, I don't make my living with horses, and as much as I would like to park my butt in a 3,4,or 5 thousand dollar saddle, I just can't justify it. I do ride a great deal of the time and sometimes I ride very hard and long hours. I plan on talking to Mr. Stead about making a saddle on a different tree, but wanted to hear from other professionals like you first. Do you know of Jeremy Stead.....his reputation etc...? Of all the production saddles, which do you think are made the best? I've also looked at McCalls, but some stated that a custom saddle could be made for the same price. I obviously don't know if that is true or not. None of the production saddles I've owned have sored my horse, so I'm not opposed to purchasing another. But, I would really like to get a good ranch type model that can handle a rope, mountain riding, and team penning. Any suggestions?

Weazer

[jwwright]

Weazer, I don't know anything about the person you mentioned.

Edited December 22, 2009 by jwwright

[kseidel]

I'm in the market for a good ranch/trail saddle and need some advise. I recently went Elk Hunting and the outfitter had a Colorado Saddlery Continental Divide that I loved. Started looking and stumbled across this website. Found out that they are made in a prison and use Hadcock and Fox trees. Found out that most of you think those trees are junk. I've owned a Billy Cook trainer, older well built, but not what I wanted so I sold it. I purchased a SRS with a 7 inch gullet width but it was too wide for one of my horses. I am currently using my wife's Tucker, but it is too fufu. I have also ridden in Teskey's, Vinton and some Martins that were decent, but once again, most on this site are really down on rack, production saddles. I am considering working with a custom or semi custom saddle maker to build or sell me a saddle. However, I don't want to waste anymore money. I'd like to get it right this time. I only want to spend 1,500 to 2,000 dollars. It would appear that several of you agree that timberline saddle trees are good production trees. Are there any saddles made on these trees that can be purchased off the rack or ordered in my price range? Or, is there a saddle maker who can make a saddle in this price range that is custom or semi custom. Your comments and advice is appreciated.

Weazer,

In today's market with costs being what they are, it is impossible to build a custom or handmade saddle under $2000. Most used handmade saddles that are good quality and well designed will sell for $2500 and up. You stated that you did not want to wast any more money, and my advice to you would be to spend a bit more money for that next level of saddle. You may have difficulty justifying the original cost, but will find it well worth it in a very short time. You will be surprised at the unity and oneness between you and your horse when riding a saddle properly designed and constructed.

Making a saddle that performs properly is more than just a "handmade" saddle. It is about the balance and fit that comes from training and experience. Buying a handmade saddle for less money only comes from a saddlemaker that is less experienced and you are financing his practice. Most better production saddles are at leased designed by experienced saddlemakers, even though they are not as well constructed. But even a good production saddle will cost $2500 - $3000 to start. Many times, buying a lower priced handmade saddle is worse than a production saddle.

Everything is costing more these days, and you will be much wiser to spend a bit more and get a much better saddle.

Respectfully,

Keith Seidel

[AndyKnight]

Read Keith's post again !!!I totally dido his post. Just because something is " handmade" doesn't mean that it is built properly.

In today's market with costs being what they are, it is impossible to build a custom or handmade saddle under $2000. Most used handmade saddles that are good quality and well designed will sell for $2500 and up. You stated that you did not want to wast any more money, and my advice to you would be to spend a bit more money for that next level of saddle. You may have difficulty justifying the original cost, but will find it well worth it in a very short time. You will be surprised at the unity and oneness between you and your horse when riding a saddle properly designed and constructed.

Making a saddle that performs properly is more than just a "handmade" saddle. It is about the balance and fit that comes from training and experience. Buying a handmade saddle for less money only comes from a saddlemaker that is less experienced and you are financing his practice. Most better production saddles are at leased designed by experienced saddlemakers, even though they are not as well constructed. But even a good production saddle will cost $2500 - $3000 to start. Many times, buying a lower priced handmade saddle is worse than a production saddle.

Everything is costing more these days, and you will be much wiser to spend a bit more and get a much better saddle.

Respectfully,

Keith Seidel

[mulefool]

I can't comment on the maker you mentioned, don't know anything about him. In your price range a good used saddle could be a good choice. You might check a publication like Eclectic Horseman's classified section. I've seen some mcCalls listed there and also some reputable makers at what seemed like good prices. Chris

[Timbo]

Actually the saddles sold by Colorado Saddlery are very well made for a production saddle. If you used one and liked it as much as you say you do and it fits your price range ..........buy it. I've gotten to know one of the guys that runs the saddle program at the prison (its in Buena Vista, CO) and he is a stickler for quality. I've also seen the Hadlock and Fox trees and to me they looked really good for a production tree in my opinion. If you're not going to rope with this saddle the production tree shouldn't be a problem. I've also seen the Baties trees and thought they were also a decent production tree.

Seems there has gotten to be a stigma about production saddles lately, but lets face it........we all grew up riding them. I'm building my first saddle right now and it will the closest thing to a custom saddle I've ever even ridden. Are custom saddles better??? You bet they are......but can every one afford them?? Hell no. So what does that leave?? Finding a good quality production saddle. My opinion is frankly that as production saddles go the Colorado saddlery products are a good choice. Not priced on the high end of the spectrum but definitely better than whats available at the low end of the spectrum as far as production saddles go.

So again if you liked it and it is everything you want........get it!!

Tim

[Curbstrap2]

I'm in the market for a good ranch/trail saddle and need some advise. I recently went Elk Hunting and the outfitter had a Colorado Saddlery Continental Divide that I loved. Started looking and stumbled across this website. Found out that they are made in a prison and use Hadcock and Fox trees. Found out that most of you think those trees are junk. I've owned a Billy Cook trainer, older well built, but not what I wanted so I sold it. I purchased a SRS with a 7 inch gullet width but it was too wide for one of my horses. I am currently using my wife's Tucker, but it is too fufu. I have also ridden in Teskey's, Vinton and some Martins that were decent, but once again, most on this site are really down on rack, production saddles. I am considering working with a custom or semi custom saddle maker to build or sell me a saddle. However, I don't want to waste anymore money. I'd like to get it right this time. I only want to spend 1,500 to 2,000 dollars. It would appear that several of you agree that timberline saddle trees are good production trees. Are there any saddles made on these trees that can be purchased off the rack or ordered in my price range? Or, is there a saddle maker who can make a saddle in this price range that is custom or semi custom. Your comments and advice is appreciated.

You might try these folks: http://www.sugarcreeksaddlery.com/

I have a saddle from them that I am thrilled with and would recommend them. They are also extremely nice people to deal with.

[oldtimer]

Actually the saddles sold by Colorado Saddlery are very well made for a production saddle. If you used one and liked it as much as you say you do and it fits your price range ..........buy it. I've gotten to know one of the guys that runs the saddle program at the prison (its in Buena Vista, CO) and he is a stickler for quality. I've also seen the Hadlock and Fox trees and to me they looked really good for a production tree in my opinion. If you're not going to rope with this saddle the production tree shouldn't be a problem. I've also seen the Baties trees and thought they were also a decent production tree.

Seems there has gotten to be a stigma about production saddles lately, but lets face it........we all grew up riding them. I'm building my first saddle right now and it will the closest thing to a custom saddle I've ever even ridden. Are custom saddles better??? You bet they are......but can every one afford them?? Hell no. So what does that leave?? Finding a good quality production saddle. My opinion is frankly that as production saddles go the Colorado saddlery products are a good choice. Not priced on the high end of the spectrum but definitely better than whats available at the low end of the spectrum as far as production saddles go.

So again if you liked it and it is everything you want........get it!!

Tim

I have examined two Colorado saddlery roping saddles ( removed the seat leather). The ground seat consists of a tin plate and a thin piece of leather, so the riders were sitting on two rows of nailheads . What the eye doesn´t see........ . IMO they are not better or nor worse than any production saddle.

The reason why I took them apart was that the owners got " a pain in the ass ". ( Made and sold two new saddles)

/ Knut

Edited January 12, 2010 by oldtimer